Hook and loop fastener having an increased coefficient of friction

ABSTRACT

A hook and loop fastener having an increased coefficient of friction compared to conventional nonwoven hook and loop systems. The increased coefficient of friction strengthens engagement between a hook component and a loop component, both when the hooks and loops are engaged, and even when the hooks and loops are not engaged but merely in contact with one another. The coefficient of friction can be increased by adding tackifiers in the hook forming process and/or in the loop forming process, or by extruding multi-component fibers using a fiber type that enhances strength and a fiber that has less strength but has a higher coefficient of friction, or by using fibers of various cross-sectional shapes, or by processing surface bloom additives into the hook and/or loop structures.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention is directed to a hook and loop fastener. A number offastening systems, such as diaper fastening systems, incorporate a hookand loop system for easy fastening and release. The hook componenttypically includes a flat plastic sheet laminate with a number ofprotruding hooks that engage (i.e., mesh or interlock) with a number ofloops protruding from a corresponding loop component. While many of theindividual hooks engage with individual loops, many of the individualhooks and the individual loops are merely in contact with one anotherwith no engagement between them. These non-engaged hooks and loopsneither help nor hinder overall fastening strength between the hookcomponent and the loop component.

There is a need or desire for a hook and loop fastener wherein all ormost of the individual hooks and loops (including those which touch butare not engaged) contribute to the fastening strength between the hookcomponent and the loop component.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a hook and loop fastener whosecomponents have an increased coefficient of friction compared toconventional nonwoven hook and loop fasteners. By increasing thecoefficient of friction, the fastening performance of the hook and loopfastener is increased by increasing the forces required to separate bothengaged and contacting (but not engaged) hooks and loops. Essentially,the hook fastener and the loop fastener remain engaged or in contact fora longer period of time than conventional hook and loop fasteners due tothe increased coefficient of friction which requires a greater force ofseparation.

In one embodiment of the invention, the coefficient of friction can beincreased by adding a tackifier to the hook and/or loop components, forinstance, in the hook forming process and/or the loop forming process.In another embodiment, a friction modifier can be painted onto thesurface of hooks and/or loops already formed. In another embodiment ofthe invention, multi-component fibers can be extruded to form a loopcomponent. The multi-component fibers can include a fiber type thatenhances strength and a fiber type that has less strength but has ahigher coefficient of friction. In yet another embodiment of theinvention, multi-shaped, multi-lobal, or irregular-shaped fibers areused to increase the total friction by increasing the contact surfacearea and providing edges. In still another embodiment of the invention,surface bloom additives can be processed into the hook and/or loopstructures in such a way as to increase the coefficient of friction ofthe fastener after blooming is complete.

Any of these improvements to the hook and loop fastener, or acombination of these improvements, result in a hook and loop fastenerhaving increased friction between the hooks and loops, such that theindividual hooks and loops facilitate engagement between the hookcomponent and the loop component, even between non-engaged hooks andloops in contact with one another.

With the foregoing in mind, it is a feature and advantage of theinvention to provide a hook and loop fastener having increased frictionbetween the hooks and loops.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of a hook component and a loop component engagedwith one another;

FIG. 2 is a side view of a hook component having a tackifier on thehooks;

FIG. 3 is a side view of a loop component having a tackifier on theloops;

FIG. 4 is a side view of a loop component having loops made ofmulti-component fibers;

FIG. 5 is a side view of an individual loop made of multi-shaped fibers;and

FIG. 6 is cross-sectional view of a loop made of multi-shaped fibers,taken along line 6—6 in FIG. 5.

DEFINITIONS

Within the context of this specification, each term or phrase below willinclude the following meaning or meanings.

“Bicomponent fibers” refer to fibers which have been formed from atleast two polymers extruded from separate extruders but spun together toform one fiber.

“Friction” refers to a force that resists relative motion between twobodies in contact. The term “coefficient of friction” refers to theratio of the magnitude of the force of friction to the magnitude of thenormal force applied to an object being moved along a surface. Anincreased coefficient of friction enables two bodies to stay in contactmore easily than a lower coefficient of friction, thus, it is moredifficult to separate two bodies having an increased coefficient offriction than it is to separate two bodies having a lower coefficient offriction.

“Medical garment” includes medical (i.e., protective and/or surgical)gowns, caps, gloves, drapes, face masks, blood pressure cuffs, bandagesand the like.

“Peel force” refers to a force that tends to pull two adjoining bodiesaway from one another in opposite directions generally perpendicular toa plane in which the bodies are joined. Peel force may also be referredto as “fastening strength.”

“Polymers” include, but are not limited to, homopolymers, copolymers,such as for example, block, graft, random and alternating copolymers,terpolymers, etc. and blends and modifications thereof. Furthermore,unless otherwise specifically limited, the term “polymer” shall includeall possible geometrical configurations of the material. Theseconfigurations include, but are not limited to isotactic, syndiotacticand atactic symmetries.

“Releasably attached,” “releasably engaged” and variations thereof referto two elements being connected or connectable such that the elementstend to remain connected absent a separation force applied to one orboth of the elements, and the elements being capable of separationwithout substantial permanent deformation or rupture. The requiredseparation force is typically beyond that encountered while wearing theabsorbent garment.

“Shear force” refers to a force that tends to produce an opposite butparallel sliding motion between two bodies' planes.

“Surface bloom” refers to a process wherein a substance is added to amaterial and migrates from one region of the material to another region,particularly to a surface region. The term “surface bloom additive”refers to the substance that migrates between regions in the material.

“Tackifier” refers to a resin having a slightly adhesive, sticky orgummy feel. Tackifiers can be used to coat solid materials to create atacky surface on the solid. Alternatively, tackifiers can be blendedwith other polymers to create a material having a tacky surface. Theresulting tacky surface creates greater friction between the coatedsolid or blended material and virtually any other surface, compared tothe friction between the uncoated solid or unblended polymers and othersurfaces.

“Thermoplastic” describes a material that softens when exposed to heatand which substantially returns to a nonsoftened condition when cooledto room temperature.

These terms may be defined with additional language in the remainingportions of the specification.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention is directed to a hook and loop fastener havingincreased friction between the hooks and loops, compared to conventionalnonwoven hook and loop fasteners. Each of the embodiments of theinvention result in an increased coefficient of friction between a hookcomponent and a loop component, and/or an increased area of contactbetween the hooks and loops.

This hook and loop fastener is particularly suitable for use infastening systems on disposable absorbent articles. Examples of suchsuitable articles include diapers, training pants, feminine hygieneproducts, incontinence products, other personal care or health caregarments, including medical garments, or the like.

As shown in FIG. 1, a fastening system 20 including a hook component 22and a loop component 24 can be brought together to be releasablyattached, or releasably engaged, to one another. The hook component 22has a number of individual hooks 26 protruding generally perpendicularlyfrom a hook backing material 28. Similarly, the loop component 24 has anumber of individual loops 30 protruding generally perpendicularly froma loop backing material 32. The individual hooks 26 and the individualloops 30, when brought into contact with one another, engage with oneanother, with the hooks 26 latching onto the loops 30, until forciblyseparated, thereby pulling the hooks 26 out of the loops 30.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, not every hook 26 and every loop 30 engageswith a corresponding loop 30 or hook 26. Typically, enough hooks 26 andloops 30 engage with one another to maintain fastening between the hookcomponent 22 and the loop component 24. By increasing the coefficient offriction and/or total friction within the hook and loop fastener 20,between the hooks 26 and loops 30, peel and shear forces within thefastener 20 are increased, thereby requiring greater peel and shearforces acting on the fastener 20 to separate the hook component 22 fromthe loop component 24. With an increased coefficient of friction, evennon-engaged hooks 26 and loops 30 in contact with one another provide adegree of peel force and shear force, and may contribute to thefastening strength as well.

In one embodiment, shown in FIG. 2, the hooks 26 on the hook component22 are at least partially coated with a tackifier 34. The tackifier 34can either be applied to the surfaces of the hooks 26 or can be blendedwith the hook material during the hook forming process, whereupon someof the tackifier 34 will be present at the hook surfaces or migrate tothe hook surfaces. The tackifier 34 gives the hooks 26 a slightlyadhesive, sticky or gummy feel. Thus, when the hooks 26 come in contactwith the loops 30, the friction between the hook component 22 and theloop component 24 is increased, thereby increasing the amount of shearforce and/or peel force necessary to separate the hook component 22 fromthe loop component 24. The peel force is increased by the added frictionbecause, as shown in FIG. 1, the individual hooks 26 and individualloops 30 are positioned so as to shear one another when the hookcomponent 22 and loop component 24 are peeled apart.

In another embodiment, shown in FIG. 3, the loops 30 on the loopcomponent 24 are at least partially coated with a tackifier 34. Thetackifier 34 can either be used to coat the loops 30 or can be added tothe loop material during the loop forming process. Similar to theprevious embodiment, the tackifier 34 gives the loops 30 a slightlyadhesive, sticky or gummy feel, thereby increasing the friction betweenthe hook component 22 and the loop component 24. Both the hook component22 and the loop component 24 can include tackifiers 34 on the hooks 26and loops 30, or merely just the hook component 22 or just the loopcomponent 24 may include the tackifier 34.

The tackifier 34 can include any suitable resin that lends tackiness, orslight stickiness, to the hook component 22 and/or loop component 24.Examples of suitable resins include polyethylene elastomers,syndiotactic polypropylene, polybutylene, blends of rubber andpolypropylene, styrene block copolymers, or combinations thereof. Oneexample of a suitable resin is REGALREZ®, manufactured by HerculesCorporation, Wilmington, Del. The tackifier 34 may be a material whichcan be painted, spray-coated or otherwise externally applied to thehooks 26 and loops 30, or a material which can be internally applied byblending with the hook and/or loop polymer(s).

In another embodiment of the invention, shown in FIG. 4, the coefficientof friction of a nonwoven loop component 24 is increased by usingextruded multi-component 36, 38 fibers 39 to make individual loops 30protruding from the loop backing 32. A combination of fiber componentssuitably includes a first fiber component 36 that enhances strength,such as a thermoplastic polymer selected from polyamides, polyesters,polyolefins (e.g. polypropylene or polyethylene) or another suitablematerial. A second suitable fiber component 38 has less strength thanthe first fiber component 36, but has a higher coefficient of friction.Suitable examples of the second fiber component 38 include any of thesame types of fibers suitable for the first fiber component 36, as longas the type of fiber selected for use as the first fiber component 36 isnot the same as the type of fiber selected for use as the second fibercomponent 38.

Bicomponent fibers can also be used. The configuration of bicomponentfibers may be, for example, a “sheath-core” arrangement, wherein onepolymer is surrounded by another. In particular, the first fibercomponent 36, the strength component, can be used as the core and thesecond fiber component 38, the friction component, can be used as thesheath. Other bicomponent arrangements include a “side-by-side”arrangement, or an “islands-in-the-sea” arrangement, both of which areknown in the art.

In yet another embodiment of the invention, shown in FIGS. 5 and 6,multi-shaped or irregular-shaped fibers 40 are used in the loopcomponent 24 to increase the coefficient of friction by affecting thesurface area and the edge effect on the loops 30. More specifically,FIG. 6 shows the cross-section of the loop 30 in FIG. 5. The loop 30 inthis embodiment has a non-smooth outer surface 42, which creates ahigher coefficient of friction compared to a loop having a smooth outersurface. By having a non-smooth outer surface 42, the surface area ofthe outer surface is increased and a number of edges are created aboutthe outer surface. These edges increase the amount of friction betweenthe loop 30 and a corresponding hook 26, either while engaged or merelyin contact with one another, by creating a claw-like effect by which theedges of the loop 30 can dig into the hook 26. For example, each of thefibers 40 in the loop 30 can have a unique and/or irregular shape, or atleast two different types of fiber shapes can be included in the loop30, suitably at least three different types of fiber shapes can beincluded in the loop. The fiber shapes, determined by thecross-sectional shapes of the fibers 42, can be elliptical, three-sided,four-sided, or generally any other shape, either geometrical orirregular.

In still another embodiment of the invention, surfactant bloomingtechnology can be used to process a surface bloom additive into fibersof the hook and/or loop structures in such a way as to increase thecoefficient of friction of the fastener 20 after blooming is complete.Surfactant blooming technology is taught, for example, in U.S. Pat. No.6,043,168 issued to Colman, et al., hereby incorporated by reference.More particularly, the surfactant blooming process can be carried out byusing a treatment system of at least one internal surface bloom additiveand/or at least one topical surface additive. The internal surface bloomadditive is blended with the hook and/or loop material during the hookand/or loop forming process. The internal surface bloom additive is asubstance that remains amorphous in the fibers, such as syndiotacticpolypropylene or polybutylene, for example. In carrying out the bloomingprocess, the internal surface bloom additive is added to a polyolefinresin, which is then spun into the fibers of the hook and/or loopmaterial.

The topical surface additive is applied to the surfaces of the hooksand/or loops, and can include any of the same substances as the internalsurface bloom additive.

In each of the embodiments, the individual loops 30 of the loopcomponent 24 can be needled, stitched or otherwise projected through theloop backing material 32, which can suitably be made from a nonwovenmaterial. In addition to the processing improvements disclosed herein,the individual loops 30 can suitably be made from a fibrous nonwoven websuch as a spunbond nonwoven web, or a staple fiber carded web.Alternatively, the individual loops 30 can be made of yarn or tow. Oncethe loops 30 have been formed, fibers forming the loops can be anchoredin place by bonding the fibers to the loop backing material 32 with heatand/or adhesives or any other suitable means.

The loops 30 are not necessarily of a uniform height, but preferablyhave a height in a range of from about 0.00254 cm to about 0.19 cm, orfrom about 0.0381 cm to about 0.0762 cm. The loop backing 32 generallyhas a thickness in a range of between about 0.025 millimeter (mm) andabout 5 mm, suitably between about 0.4 mm and about 2 mm. The density ofthe loops 30 on the loop backing 32 is largely dependent on the type ofmaterial used, and can range from about 16 to about 620 loops per squarecentimeter, or from about 124 to about 388 loops per square centimeter,or from about 155 to about 310 loops per square centimeter.

In each of the embodiments, the individual hooks 26 of the hookcomponent 22 typically have a base portion that extends roughlyperpendicularly from the hook backing 28 and a free end extending fromthe base portion that is curved or angled to enable engagement with acorresponding loop 30 on the loop component 24. Virtually any hook shapecan be used with this invention. For example, the individual hooks 26can have J-shaped free ends or flat free ends. The hooks 26 aretypically co-formed with the hook backing material 28. A co-extrusionprocess can be employed to form the individual hooks 26 and the backingmaterial 28 from various polymers in the same process.

Suitable hook components 22 generally have between about 16 and about620 hooks per square centimeter, or between about 124 and about 388hooks per square centimeter, or between about 155 and about 310 hooksper square centimeter. The hooks 26 suitably have a height of from about0.00254 centimeter (cm) to about 0.19 cm, or from about 0.0381 cm toabout 0.0762 cm. In addition to the processing improvements disclosedherein, the hooks 26 are suitably molded or extruded from athermoplastic polymer selected from polyamides, polyesters, polyolefins(e.g. polypropylene or polyethylene) or another suitable material thatcontributes strength and/or friction to the fastening system 20.Likewise, the hook backing material 28 can be made of any of these orany other suitable materials. The hook backing material 28 generally hasa thickness in a range of between about 0.5 millimeter (mm) and about 5mm, suitably in a range of between about 0.8 mm and 3 mm, with a basisweight in a range of from about 20 grams per square meter to about 70grams per square meter.

A fastening system 20 having an increased coefficient of frictionresults from any of the disclosed embodiments, or a combination of thedisclosed embodiments. The fastening system 20 of the invention suitablyhas a kinetic coefficient of friction at least 25% greater than the samefastening system without any coefficient of friction modifiers. Moresuitably, the kinetic coefficient of friction with the frictionmodifiers is between about 25% and about 50% greater than the samefastening system without any coefficient of friction modifiers, as shownin the example below.

EXAMPLE

In this example, a piece of spunbond polypropylene was used as a controland the kinetic coefficient of friction of the control was compared tothe kinetic coefficient of friction of six samples each including acoefficient of friction modifier. The results are shown in Table 1. Theaverage increase in kinetic coefficient of friction in the sampleshaving a coefficient of friction modifier was 42%. The kineticcoefficient of friction was measured using the test procedure describedbelow.

TABLE 1 Comparison of Kinetic Coefficients of Friction Kinetic Load Co-Increase in Kinetic Peak efficient Coefficient of Friction Sample(grams) of Friction Compared to Control 100% polypropylene 74 0.26 —(control) 0.6 osy, 80 0.38 46% 40% polypropylene, 60% metallocenepolyethylene 0.6 osy, 87 0.38 46% 55% polypropylene, 45% metallocenepolyethylene 0.6 osy, 82 0.34 31% 70% polypropylene, 30% ARNITEL ®EM400* 1.0 osy, 84 0.34 31% 40% polypropylene, 60% metallocenepolyethylene 1.0 osy, 83 0.35 35% 55% polypropylene, 45% metallocenepolyethylene 1.0 osy, 96 0.41 58% 70% polypropylene, 30% ARNITEL ®EM400* *a copolyester elastomer available from DSM Engineering Plasticsof Evansville, Indiana

Standard Test Method for Kinetic Coefficients of Friction of PlasticFilm and Sheeting, Astm D-1894-78

This test method covers determination of the coefficient of slidingfriction of plastic film and sheeting when sliding over itself or othersubstances at specified test conditions.

Apparatus used to carry out the test method includes a sled made of ametal block 63.5 mm (2.5 inches) square by approximately 6 mm (0.25inch) thick with a suitable eye screw fastened in one end. In addition,a polished plastic, wood, or metal sheet, approximately 150 by 300 by 1mm (6 by 12 by 0.040 inch) is used as a plane. A smooth, flat piece ofglass may cover the upper surface of the plane, thereby providing asmooth support for the specimen. Other materials include scissors or acutter suitable for cutting specimens to the desired dimensions,adhesive tape such as cellophane or pressure-sensitive tape, anddouble-faced adhesive tape. Additional materials include a nylonmonofilament, having a 0.33±0.05 mm (0.013±0.002 inch) diameter andcapable of supporting a 3.6 kg (8 pound) load, low-friction pulleys suchas a phenolic type pulley mounted in hardened steel cone bearings on ametal fork, or a ball-bearing type pulley may be used, and aforce-measuring device capable of measuring the frictional force to ±5%of its value, for example a spring gage, a universal testing machine ora strain gage may be used. Other equipment includes a supporting base. Asmooth wood or metal base approximately 200 by 380 mm (8 by 15 inches)is necessary to support the plane. The supporting base may be a simplerectangular box. A driving or pulling device for the sled or plane isalso needed. The plane may be pulled by a driven pair of rubber-coatedrolls not less than 200 mm (8 inches) long, capable of maintaining auniform surface speed of 150±30 mm/min (0.5±0.1 ft/min) by the crossheadof a universal testing machine, or a worm drive driven with asynchronous motor. A constant-speed chain drive system can also be used.A power-operated source may be used for pulling the sled over thehorizontally-mounted specimen at a uniform speed of 150±30 mm/min(0.5±0.1 ft/min).

The test specimen that is to be attached to the plane should be cutapproximately 250 mm (10 inches) in the machine direction and 130 mm (5inches) in the transverse direction when such extrusion directions existand are identifiable. A film specimen, having a nominal thickness of notgreater than 0.254 mm, should be cut approximately 120 mm (4.5 inches)square. A sheeting specimen, greater than 0.254 mm nominal thickness,should be cut 63.5 mm (2.5 inches) square.

The test method is carried out by taping the 250 by 130 mm (10 by 5inch) film or sheet specimen to a plane with the machine direction ofthe specimen in the 250-mm direction. Smooth the film specimen toeliminate wrinkles if necessary, taking care not to alter the specimensurface through finger oils, etc. For film specimens, tape the edges ofthe 120 mm (4.5 inch) square film specimen to the back of the sled,using adhesive tape and pulling the specimen tight to eliminate wrinkleswithout stretching it. For sheet specimens, tape the 63.5 mm (2.5 inch)square sheet specimen or second substrate to the sled face withdouble-faced tape. Keep the machine direction of the specimen parallelto the length of the sled (where such direction exists and isidentifiable).

Next, attach the specimen-covered sled through its eye screw to thenylon filament. If a universal testing machine is used, pass thefilament through the pulley(s) and upward to the bottom of theload-sensing device and attach securely. If a spring gage is used,securely attach the filament to it. The nylon filament shall be ofsufficient length to allow maximum sled or plane travel. With some slackin the nylon filament, lightly place the sled in position on thehorizontal plane. The positioning of the sled shall be such that thelength of the sled, the adjacent length of nylon filament, and the longdimension (machine direction) of the plane-mounted specimen areparallel.

Start the driving mechanism (which has been adjusted previously toprovide a speed of 150±30 mm/min (0.5±0.1 ft/min)). As a result of thefrictional force between the contacting surfaces, no immediate relativemotion may take place between the sled and the moving plane until thepull on the sled is equal to, or exceeds the static frictional forceacting at the contact surfaces. Record the visual average reading duringa run of approximately 130 mm (5 inches) while the surfaces are slidinguniformly over one another. This is equivalent to the kinetic forcerequired to sustain motion between the surfaces and normally is lowerthan the static force required to initiate motion. After the sled hastraveled over 130 mm (5 inches) stop the apparatus and return to thestarting position.

If a strain gage and load-displacement recorder are used, either drawthe best straight line midway between the maximum points and minimumpoints shown on the chart while the sled was in motion, or obtain theaverage load by integration of the recorder trace. The mean load is thekinetic friction force required to sustain motion on the sled.

Remove the film or sheeting specimen from the sled and the horizontalplane. The apparatus is now ready for the next set of specimens. A newset of specimens shall be used for each run.

Calculate the kinetic coefficient of friction, μ_(k), as follows:

 μ_(k) =A _(k) /B

where:

A_(k)=average scale reading obtained during uniform sliding of the filmsurfaces, and

B=sled weight.

It will be appreciated that details of the foregoing embodiments, givenfor purposes of illustration, are not to be construed as limiting thescope of this invention. Although only a few exemplary embodiments ofthis invention have been described in detail above, those skilled in theart will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible in theexemplary embodiments without materially departing from the novelteachings and advantages of this invention. Accordingly, all suchmodifications are intended to be included within the scope of thisinvention, which is defined in the following claims and all equivalentsthereto. Further, it is recognized that many embodiments may beconceived that do not achieve all of the advantages of some embodiments,particularly of the preferred embodiments, yet the absence of aparticular advantage shall not be construed to necessarily mean thatsuch an embodiment is outside the scope of the present invention.

We claim:
 1. A hook and loop fastener comprising a hook component and aloop component; the loop component including a loop backing and aplurality of loops protruding from it; and the hook component includinga hook backing, a plurality of hooks protruding from it, and acoefficient of friction modifier comprising a tackifier, wherein thetackifier is blended with a polymer from which the plurality of hooks ismade.
 2. The hook and loop fastener of claim 1, wherein the hook andloop fastener has a kinetic coefficient of friction at least 25% greaterthan the same type of hook and loop fastener without the coefficient offriction modifier.
 3. The hook and loop fastener of claim 1, wherein thehook and loop fastener has a kinetic coefficient of friction betweenabout 25% and about 50% greater than the same type of hook and loopfastener without the coefficient of friction modifier.
 4. The hook andloop fastener of claim 1, wherein the tackifier comprises a resinselected from the group consisting of polyethylene elastomers,syndiotactic polypropylene, polybutylene, blends of rubber andpolypropylene, styrene block copolymers, and combinations thereof.
 5. Ahook and loop fastener comprising a hook component and a loop component;the hook component including a hook backing and a plurality of hooksprotruding from it; and the loop component including a loop backing, aplurality of loops protruding from it, and a coefficient of frictionmodifier comprising a tackifier, wherein the tackifier is blended with apolymer from which the plurality of loops is made.
 6. The hook and loopfastener of claim 5, wherein the hook and loop fastener has a kineticcoefficient of friction at least 25% greater than the same type of hookand loop fastener without the coefficient of friction modifier.
 7. Thehook and loop fastener of claim 5, wherein the hook and loop fastenerhas a kinetic coefficient of friction between about 25% and about 50%greater than the same type of hook and loop fastener without thecoefficient of friction modifier.
 8. The hook and loop fastener of claim5, wherein the tackifier comprises a resin selected from the groupconsisting of polyethylene elastomers, syndiotactic polypropylene,polybutylene, blends of rubber and polypropylene, styrene blockcopolymers, and combinations thereof.
 9. A hook and loop fastenercomprising a hook component and a loop component; the hook componentincluding a hook backing, a plurality of hooks protruding from it, and afirst coefficient of friction modifier comprising a tackifier, whereinthe tackifier is blended with a polymer from which the plurality ofhooks is made; and the loop component including a loop backing, aplurality of loops protruding from it, and a second coefficient offriction modifier.
 10. The hook and loop fastener of claim 9, whereinthe hook and loop fastener has a kinetic coefficient of friction atleast 25% greater than the same type of hook and loop fastener withoutthe first coefficient of friction modifier and without the secondcoefficient of friction modifier.
 11. The hook and loop fastener ofclaim 9, wherein the hook and loop fastener has a kinetic coefficient offriction between about 25% and about 50% greater tan the same type ofhook and loop fastener without the first coefficient of frictionmodifier and without the second coefficient of friction modifier.
 12. Ahook and loop fastener comprising a hook component and a loop component;the hook component including a hook backing, a plurality of hooksprotruding from it, and a first coefficient of friction modifier; andthe loop component including a loop backing, a plurality of loopsprotruding from it, and a second coefficient of friction modifiercomprising a tackifier, wherein the tackifer is blended with a polymerfrom which the plurality of loops is made.
 13. The hook and loopfastener of claim 12, wherein the hook and loop fastener has a kineticcoefficient of friction at least 25% greater than the same type of hookand loop fastener without the first coefficient of function modifier andwithout the second coefficient of friction modifier.
 14. The hook andloop fastener of claim 12, wherein the hook and loop fastener has akinetic coefficient of friction between about 25% and about 50% greaterthan the same type of hook and loop fastener without the firstcoefficient of friction modifier and without the second coefficient offriction modifier.